21 January 2014

2014 NFL Mock Draft: 2nd Edition

The Super Bowl is all set between the Seahawks and the Broncos in less than two weeks in the beautiful town of East Rutherford, New Jersey. But that also means that 30 teams are now looking ahead to May 8th and the NFL Draft as they hope to be in the position Seattle and Denver are in now next season. Here's my second mock draft.

1.Houston Texans - Teddy Bridgewater, QB, LouisvilleWhile
I would not be surprised if the Texans went with Jadeveon Clowney or a
tackle with their first pick, I do ultimately think they will go
quarterback, and Bridgewater is an excellet quarterback prospect. Sure,
he may not be as "hot" as Johnny Manziel or Blake Bortles, Bridgewater
is in my opinion the top quarterback in the draft, and ready for the NFL
right now.

2. St. Louis Rams (via Washington) - Jadeveon Clowney,DE,South CarolinaI
do ultimately expect the Rams, who scored with Washington's collapse to
get this pick, to trade down to somebody either looking to move up for
Clowney or for a quarterback. But if they hold at two, I think they'll
make an excellent pass rush combo of Chris Long and Robert Quinn even
more potent. Even with the effort questions (fair or unfair), Clowney is
a special talent.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Blake Bortles, QB, UCFSo
Blaine Gabbert ultimately did not work out after all, color me shocked.
We knew the Jaguars were going to find an answer at quarterback at some
point and while it may be intriguing for an excellent defensive coach
like Gus Bradley to grab a versatile defensive talent, they would be
making a mistake to pass up a quarterback. Bortles has seen his stock
rise as the Knights got to the Fiesta Bowl and won, and he just may have
the highest ceiling of any quarterback in this draft.

4. Cleveland Browns - Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&MI
am not one of the skeptics of Manziel at the next level, as I think he
can be great in the pros. Sure, he may be a little small, his instincts
are amazing, his playmaking ability is excellent and his passing skills
are pretty good as well. The biggest questions with him are his
maturity, but he is absolutely worth the shot for a team that has not
had a franchise quarterback since Bernie Kosar. And we already know that
Cleveland is smitten with Manziel.

5. Oakland Raiders - Sammy Watkins, WR, ClemsonWithout
the top quarterbacks on the board (unless they were to reach for Derek
Carr), Oakland is in an interesting spot here and I would not be
surprised if Reggie McKenzie would want to move down to stockpile picks.
If they stay at five, don't be surprised if they add the number one
wideout that they have lacked in the very explosive Watkins.

6. Atlanta Falcons - Jake Matthews, T, Texas A&MA
lot of folks think that Atlanta may just move up to take Clowney given
their needs to upgrade their pitiful pass rush in 2013, but it should
not be forgotten that their pass protection was subpar as Sam Baker was a
mess on the blindside. The Falcons are an offensive team built around
Matt Ryan and the passing game, and protection for him is vital. Plus,
Matthews just may be the top prospect available.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Khalil Mack, DE/OLB, BuffaloLovie Smith is headed to Tampa
and while he is a great defensive coach, he needs more playmakers on
that side of the ball, particularly in the pass rush which has been a
problem spot for the club for years. So I think this pick will come down
to Mack and Anthony Barr, with the more-polished Mack getting the nod
and he looks like an excellent fit for the defense.

8. Minnesota Vikings - Derek Carr, QB, Fresno StateWould
I take Carr with a top ten pick? Probably not, I think he's a talented
quarterback with an excellent arm but a little too inconsistent for my
taste. But for the Vikings, who are desperate for a franchise
quarterback after getting little from the trio of Christian Ponder, Matt
Cassel and Josh Freeman in 2013, may just be willing to roll the dice.

9. Buffalo Bills - Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&ME.J.
Manuel struggled to stay healthy as a rookie but when he was on the
field, he showed some flashes that he can be a good quarterback in the
NFL. Therefore, the Bills should upgrade his supporting cast by
bolstering his receiving corps by taking Evans, who will give a small
group some much-needed size. He had a brilliant 2013 and would give
Manuel a big target in the red zone and elsewhere.

10. Detroit Lions - Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan StateThe
Lions have a talented (and expensive) defensive line, but with a
cornerback crop that was brutal at times in 2013 that was brutal at
times, a talented cover corner like Dennard would be much appreciated to
fully unleash the line. Dennard was awesome in 2013 and played a key
role for an excellent Michigan State defense that led the Spartans to a
Rose Bowl victory and he is a physical and fluid corner with the
instincts to make plays on the ball even with decent speed.

11. Tennessee Titans - Anthony Barr, DE/OLB, UCLATennessee
would be ecstatic if a talent like Barr were to fall to 11 as I project
here because they could use some added juice to their disappointing
pass rush. Barr is the kind of versatile pass rusher that teams love to
employ these days but with his slight frame, he will have to bulk up to
play defensive end so he appears to be best fitting in a 3-4 or a 4-3
outside linebacker.

12. New York Giants - Greg Robinson, T, AuburnThere
were many reasons why Eli Manning was a turnover machine in 2013, and
thus why the Giants were a disappointing 7-9, but one of the chief ones
had to be a mediocre offensive line that seldom gave Manning time to
make a good decision. Robinson has to develop as a pass blocker but he
has all the tools, and his excellence in run blocking could help spark a
garbage New York rushing game.

13. St. Louis Rams - Taylor Lewan, T, MichiganThe
Rams have given Sam Bradford a vote of confidence in that they still
believe in him as their quarterback, so I think they will look to
upgrade their offensive line with a talented tackle like Lewan who is
rock solid with both pass and run blocking, and is coming off a good
2013 campaign. St. Louis needs more depth at tackle as Jake Long has
injury issues and Rodger Saffold will be a free agent.

14. Chicago Bears - Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, S, AlabamaIt
has been a while since the Bears had consistent play from the safety
position and it was a mess in 2013. In fact, the secondary at large
could use some work as Charles Tillman will be a free agent. Dix is the
kind of playmaker that teams love at free safety in that he is a good
cover guy while also being able to attack in the running game as well.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers - Louis Nix, DT, Notre DameThe
Steelers enjoy many a season with the massive Casey Hampton plugging up
holes and running lanes at nose tackle and after they released him
after the 2012 season, they did not get consistent play from his
replacement Steve McClendon. Plus, McClendon may be a better fit at end
and taking an excellent run stuffer in Nix would allow them to shore up
the nose and the five technique at the same time.

16. Baltimore Ravens** - Antonio Richardson, T, TennesseeBoth of Baltimore's tackles, Eugene Monroe and Michael Oher, are free agents this offseason and while they could theoretically bring back both tackles, I think at least Oher will not be brought back. Therefore, the Ravens could use a new right tackle and Richardson (who I left out of last week's mock) is one of the better tackle prospects remaining on the board. Richardson has the skill-set to play left tackle and he is a seasoned and talented tackle. He is big but also athletic and is good with the pass and the run.

17. Dallas Cowboys** - Kony Ealy, DE, MissouriThe
Cowboys struggled to rush the pass all season long, a key reason why
they were so often gashed by opposing quarterbacks. Even with DeMarcus
Ware on one side, the team failed to develop much of anything opposite
him to take advantage of all the attention given to Ware. Ealy has the
skills to develop into a threat off the edge either in a 4-3 or if the
club moves back to a 3-4 and he was excellent for the Tigers in 2013.

18. New York Jets - Marqise Lee, WR, USCGeno Smith was a mess in his rookie season and while it is too easy to
ignore him and put the blame on his awful supporting cast, his
supporting cast was awful and it is a necessity if the Jets think Smith
could be the guy that they upgrade the talent around him. I had them going Eric Ebron before but I do think if one of the top wideouts is on the board, the Jetropolitans will look to snatch him up. Lee had an inconsistent season by his standards and expectations but he is a burner on the perimeter that routes very good routes and catches the ball well.

19. Miami Dolphins - Cameron Erving, T, Florida StateThe
offensive line in Miami was truly awful and caused a lot of problems
offensively for the club all season long. Plus, you factor in the
Jonathan Martin-Richie Incognito situation and thus the Dolphins have to
address the line right away and can do that by taking the athletic
Erving, who is coming off a tremendous year for the national champions.

20. Arizona Cardinals - Cyrus Kouandijo, T, Alabama

Yet another year, yet again the Cardinals still have needs at offensive tackle, at least opposite the talented Jonathan Cooper because the hole at left tackle was a major problem even as the team tried to scheme around it. The best tackle on the board is probably Kouandijo and he would be a good fit for the club here. He is an excellent athlete with ideal size for the position and is very talented with a high ceiling, but he is raw.

21. Green Bay Packers - C.J. Mosley, MLB, AlabamaMosley
would be a steal at 21 for the Packers in my opinion as there are a
number of teams that could take him in May. He is the kind of tackler
and leader you love to have in the middle of your defense and he is very
good at multiple aspects of the position while possessing few weakness.
Green Bay needs some pop at inside linebacker in their 3-4 and Mosley
would be a solid fit.

22. Philadelphia Eagles - Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State

Chip Kelly's offense just about took the league by storm in 2013, or at least after Nick Foles went under center in the middle of the season. They got key contributions from their wideouts but with Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper both being free agents, they may look to take a receiver early in May. And I think Benjamin would be a good fit in Kelly's scheme. Benjamin was the big-play threat for the Seminoles this year and he has
the size and speed to be a serious playmaker in the vertical passing
game.

23. Kansas City Chiefs - Eric Ebron, TE, North CarolinaAlex
Smith is not a great quarterback but with a talented supporting cast
can get the job done and then some and with his decent arm, it is key
for him to have quality options in the middle of the field. We saw what
he could do under Jim Harbaugh with Vernon Davis at tight end and if Ebron is available, I think Kansas City would take him quickly.

24. Cincinnati Bengals - Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma StateGilbert
is the kind of athlete you crave to have at cornerback and he has
excellent ball skills to boot plus he is an above-average sized player
for his position. He was a hell of a player in Stillwater, and can
contribute big time in the return game. Cincinnati is stout defensively
but they could use some more youth and depth at corner.

25. San Diego Chargers - Scott Crichton, DE/OLB, Oregon StateThe Chargers were never able to fill the hole that Shaun Philips left when he signed with the division rivals in Denver as Dwight Freeney was awful when he was on the field before he went on injured reserve. The lack of a pass rush hurt the team defensively as they were 29th against the pass and 23rd in sacks. Crichton is a disruptive
presence off the edge and versatile enough to do so in different spots.

It truly was awesome what Josh Gordon was able to do for the Browns not
just with the garbage at quarterback, but with how there was nothing of
note opposite him at receiver. Robinson may not wow you athletically but he is a natural wideout that can get separation and runs well after the catch. He has the experience of playing in a pro-style attack as he excelled under Bill O'Brien and he will help whatever quarterback the Browns take with their first selection.

27. New Orleans Saints - Trent Murphy, DE/OLB, Stanford

In a passing league, versatile pass rushers are a valuable commodity,
and the more you have, the better you are off. Rob Ryan's 3-4 scheme was
better than expected in 2013 thanks to, among other things, talented
pass rushers in Cam Jordan and Junior Galette, who was a revelation. I think the team would be wise to select a versatile guy like Murphy, who may not have the most raw talent but he's physical and he's long and a very productive pass rusher.

28. Carolina Panthers - Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida

The front seven for the Panthers was fantastic this past season and was a big reason why they finished the season on an 11-1 run after starting off a mediocre 1-3. That said, the corner position will be a core focus for the team this offseason, especially as Captain Munnerlyn is a free agent. Roberson may not be much of a player against the run, and he is on the
skinnier side for a six-feet corner, but he showed some natural man
coverage talent in Gainesville and has the size and speed to be a real
weapon against the pass.

29. New England Patriots - Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech

Remember when the Patriots had such a feared tight end duo, one that was the envy of the rest of the league? Well Rob Gronkowski continues to suffer injury issues season-in and season-out, and the Aaron Hernandez thing, well, did not work out. So if one of the top tight ends are available late in the first, New England will be on the prowl. Therefore, Amaro is a logical pick as he is a dangerous weapon in the passing game down the seems.

30. San Francisco 49ers - Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame

San Francisco has a boatload of picks so they may move up if they are targeting a specific player, but if they do stay home at 30, they may find an apprentice for an aging Justin Smith with one of the better players on the board in this Notre Dame product. Tuitt is a veteran of the 3-4 and thus fits very well in Vic Fangio's defense. He is a big defensive end, although perhaps a little too big in 2013, and is a powerful player that is quicker than you think.

31. Denver Broncos* - Kyle Van Noy,OLB, BYU

Opposite Von Miller, Shaun Philips provided ten sacks but he is on the
wrong side of 30 and not a long-term option for the team, plus Robert
Ayers is a free agent. For a team that puts up a lot of points, having a
strong pass rush is key. Van Noy is small so for him, playing defensive end is probably all but out of the question. What is not out of the question is how talented of a pass rusher he is off the edge and with his speed, he is a real weapon.

32. Seattle Seahawks* - Zack Martin, G/T, Notre DameThe
interior of the Seattle offensive line has left something to be
desired, particularly at the guard slots where the team did not get
consistent production. Martin had a fine season at left tackle for the
Fighting Irish but he projects to be more of a guard in the NFL due to
his inconsistency with dealing with speedy pass rushers as well as his
excellent run blocking skills.